[bksvol-discuss] Speaking of accessible content or rather making accessible content
- From: "Chela Robles" <cdrobles693@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 8 Dec 2009 14:55:22 -0800
I stumbled across this article you might be interested in.
The Problem With PDF Content
by Donna J. Jodhan
That's the crazy thing that so many content designers just do not understand.
They continue to put all of their efforts into designing pretty PDF content but
at the end of the day it is totally inaccessible to blind and visually impaired
people. Why you ask? Very simple. PDF content is made up of an image that
cannot be deciphered by screen readers. In other words; PDF files are
image-based instead of textual-based. Blind and visually impaired persons use
screen readers to surf the Internet.
More and more online forms are being designed in PDF format and as a result of
this, blind and visually impaired people are being deprived of their right to
privacy and confidentiality. How is this? Simple! If a form is in PDF format it
means that blind and visually impaired people need to depend on sighted
assistance to help them complete it. It is frustrating, scary, and a downright
violation of our right to confidentiality and privacy. There is a way for all
of this to be dealt with and it starts with the content developer using the
appropriate tags to format the PDF content so that it is made accessible and
usable.
What most content developers still fail to understand is this: if they take the
additional time to tag their PDF content appropriately, they will not only be
making it accessible to the blind and visually impaired; they will also be
making it accessible and usable to the print disabled, the technically shy, and
to those who are not technically savvy. Before you start to wonder who all of
these people are, please allow me to elaborate.
The print disabled: those who are unable to read because of either physical,
mental, or visual challenges.
The technically shy or not technically savvy: those who have difficulty coping
with modern technology and who work better with more simple environments. In
short, the millions of aging baby boomers who did not grow up with the Internet
at their fingertips.
I personally find PDF content to be frustrating, a useless and time-consuming
obstacle for me to deal with, and a downright insult to my right to privacy and
confidentiality. Let me give you a URL that you can visit in order to learn why
PDF content does not benefit the blind and visually impaired. Visit
http://www.rnib.org.uk/wacblog/pdf/why-pdfs-suck.
I'm Donna J. Jodhan, an accessibility and special needs business consultant
wishing you a terrific day. If you'd like to learn more about me, then you can
visit some of my blog spots at:
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all:
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly Saturday postings on issues of accessibility:
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html
blogs on various issues and answers to consumers concerns:
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
----------------
"If you go without playing the trumpet for one day, no one knows, two days,
only you know, and more than three days without practicing, girl you better
look out, because everyone will know!"
Today, I find myself constantly saying those words, just to get myself going,
to not give up, and it works. Since I learned to play the trumpet at the tender
age of 10, I have spent so much passion and much diligence with that instrument
that I will not give up on it. Sometimes my instrument puts me into awkward
situations where I feel like they won't ever end, but the trumpet gives me a
lot of hope with the majestic, crystal-clear sound it brings to my ears.
----------------
Chela Robles
E-Mail: cdrobles693@xxxxxxxxx
MSNWindowsLive Messenger: cdrobles693@xxxxxxxxxxx
Skype: jazzytrumpet
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